Description

Located about midway up the Tieton River Canyon, the Cave has close to 50 routes, nearly all of them sport climbs. The highlight is the Middle Wall, a 100-foot face of blocky, sometimes overhanging entablature rock chock full of 5.11s. The Middle Wall is flanked on either side by lower (~ 40 foot) columns, with Mark's Wall on the left and the Oak Wall on the right.

The Oak Wall and Middle Wall face southeast and get morning sun, coming into the shade in early afternoon in summer. Winter climbing at the Cave is often possible (with the sun staying on the crag longer than in summer), although Mark's Wall can be windy.

The crag's name might seem puzzling, since there's no apparent cave anywhere at the cliff. The name comes from a cave on the far left (west) end of the formation, out of sight and beyond all the established routes. It's not a climbing feature. If you explore, don't be surprised if a raven suddenly explodes from a dark recess and you whap your head on the ceiling.

Getting There

Heading west on Highway 12, pass the twin bridges over the Tieton at Windy Point. After rounding a rightward bend and coming upon a slow vehicle lane (around MP 175), look up the hill to the right for the crag. Turn left into a gravel parking area directly below the crag, just before another rightward bend in the highway. (There's dirtbag camping by the river here.)

A trail begins directly across the highway from the parking area, reaching the crag at Mark's Wall.

A surprisingly pumpy arete, capped by a small roof. For maximum value, start directly under the first bolt, boulder up on flat-edged crimps, and stay along the arete. For weasel points, start to the right on a flake/rail and angle up and left to the arete.The third bolt can be hard to clip if you don't have your balance right. Try shifting your feet if it seems desperate. ...[more]Browse More Classics in WA